Heavy-duty audio equipment

Abstract

In accordance with the present invention, an improved audio equipment is employed. The audio equipment includes a housing, audio circuitry installed within the housing, and a first protective bar flexibly connected to the housing. The audio equipment may also include a handle attached to the first protective bar, a second protective bar flexibly connected to the housing, and/or a connector assembly flexibly connecting the first protective bar to the housing. The connector assembly may include a flexible gasket preferably disposed between the first protective bar and the housing. Also disclosed herein is a method for manufacturing an audio equipment.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. An apparatus comprising: 
       a housing;  
       a charger disposed within the housing;  
       a receptacle in the charger;  
       a battery pack, detachably connectable to a power tool, mounted in the receptacle;  
       an audio circuit disposed within the housing for producing an audio signal comprising audio unrelated to the charger;  
       a first electrical circuit for charging the battery pack and for powering the audio circuit; and  
       a connector for connecting the first electrical circuit to a power source.  
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the connector is adapted for connection to an AC power source, and the apparatus further comprising a second electrical circuit connectable to the battery pack for powering the audio circuit when the connector is disconnected from an AC power source. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the audio circuit is a radio circuit. 
     
     
       4. An apparatus comprising: 
       a housing;  
       a charger disposed within the housing for charging a power tool battery pack detachably connectable to a power tool;  
       an audio circuit disposed within the housing for producing an audio signal comprising audio unrelated to the charger;  
       a power supply circuit disposed within the housing for providing power to at least one of the charger and the audio circuit; and  
       a connector for connecting the power supply circuit to a power source.  
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the connector is adapted for connection to an AC power source. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 4 , further comprising an electrical circuit connectable to the battery pack for powering the audio circuit when the connector is disconnected from an AC power source. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the audio circuit is a radio circuit. 
     
     
       8. A method for charging a power tool battery pack comprising: 
       providing an audio equipment component having a housing, a power supply disposed within the housing, a charger disposed within the housing, an audio circuit disposed within the housing for producing an audio signal comprising audio unrelated to the charger, the audio circuit being connected to the power supply;  
       connecting the charger to the power supply;  
       connecting the battery pack to the charger;  
       providing power to the battery pack; and  
       disconnecting the battery pack from the charger.  
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , further comprising inserting the battery pack into a power tool. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 8 , further comprising providing power to the audio circuit while providing power to the battery pack. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 8 , further comprising manually switching the power supply to provide power to the audio circuit from the battery pack. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the audio circuit is a radio circuit.